Ask the Experts
Q: We're a medium sized city with a single water main that we can't take out of service but we're losing water! What can we do?
Many medium sized cities are supplied by a single large main which cannot be taken out of service. It is not unusual for these mains to be quite old, and older metallic mains are prone to leaking. What’s more, these leaks can be indicators of structural problems within the main, and can lead to loss of bedding and eventual failure of the line, leaving an entire city without water!
The best means of addressing this problem is with a highly sensitive leak detection survey. For mains 12-inches in diameter and above, the Sahara® Leak Location System provides the most sensitive and accurate method available on underground water pipelines. For mains less than 12-inches in diameter, hydrophone-based leak noise correlators offer an effective means of accomplishing this same goal. Both of these technologies rely on sensors placed inside the flow of water that are attached to the surface, allow for real-time results, and ensuring the sensor can be withdrawn even if it encounters unexpected flow conditions or laterals. Once these leaks are pinpointed, the pipe can be excavated, and these leaks can generally be repaired without ever taking the line out of service.
- Kevin Laven – Solutions Manager
Kevin has over 10 years of experience in the pipeline non-destructive testing industry and has been involved in developing and bringing to market a number of condition assesment technologies. For more information contact Kevin at Kevin.Laven@ppic.com.
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